Short answer: it's not yet better.
The main advantages of smile are that there is no flap to lift or dislocate, like PRK, but without the disconfort of PRK. It is a very recent development and reports about outcomes and effectivenes are still scarce.
But overall vision is not more effectively fixed tan with lasik, meaning that the number of people who get smile and need a touch up is not lower (and actually seems to be slightly higher) than with lasik. Recovery time seems to be longer too. Granted the difference is a few days, but it's worth mentioning.
The biggest disadvantage with smile is that it can only be performed once. If you are not satisfied with the result, lasik and prk are your only options besides glasses and contacts.
Only one company owns all the patents and manufactures the equipment for smile, which may be considered as too much vested interest in reporting possitive results for everyone involved.
Personally I would not do it yet. It is a very interesting procedure and there is talk about cryopreserving the corneal tissue that is extracted, so in theory it could be reversed in the future. But it is not yet mature enough. There are some conditions that cannot be treated with smile.
Most of this information I've researched in forums and papers in spanish, but this quora has a very detailed summary
You can try glasses, also look into something like f.lux which can adjust the color / brightness of your monitor to make it better for your eyes.
And of course - eye drops. Your eyes are likely drying out because you're blinking less.
Is there a confirmed link between lasik and floaters? Seems odd given floaters are within the eye, not in the area being lasered. I had floaters before surgery (started somewhere in my 20s), pretty much been the same after.
Download Flux for your computer to dim the screen
Take the sedative they offer you right before surgery
Have some easy finger food ready to eat for dinner, like pizza, you will be hungry after a nap and will likely not want to use a fork
Have someone around to help you out the first day, you'll probably feel like garbage because your eyes sting
Grab something to listen to, audio book or stand up comedy, you won't want to watch TV right away and you aren't allowed to read
I regret nothing, nearly 3 months post op and I've got 20/20. Prepare to be amazed. Go for a walk the day after surgery just to look at stuff.
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A corneal topographer is a device that typically has lots of concentric circles. Will look sort of like this: https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-9622241-stock-footage-optometry-concept-young-woman-having-her-eyes-examined-by-an-eye-doctor-topography-of-the-cornea.html
The device measures the front surface of your cornea to check for irregularities of the curvature. It doesn’t sound like you have had this test done yet based on what you’ve described.
You should call your ophthalmologist or optometrist office to see if they have a corneal topographer. It will give you more detailed answers as to why you are experiencing the symptoms you have. Feel free to post the results here so we can review them.
Can glasses eliminate the shadows and provide you with clear vision? If so, it may just be uncorrected astigmatism.
I got Lasik at a LasikPlus about two weeks ago. I, too, have a job where I need to be in front of a computer all day. I bought a cheap pair of blue light blocking glasses on Amazon to help with eye strain. Here is the pair I purchased, but there are plenty more out there: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EA5WF1W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hang in there!
Like roboduck said, you're probably fine. But you should go buy some better sunglasses. Do yourself a favor. Even if it doesn't lead to corneal hazing, you also have the risks of eye nevi and such, which can become cancerous like they can on the skin.
Amazon has $10 POLARIZED sunglasses. I was concerned since they're some random brand they might not be 100% uv protection, but my laser center said if they're polarized they're definitely UVed too. Try them, I promise you'll love them (they take away the glare on windshields when driving, on water, etc). (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013VRY4A0/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A2FDIGTM1494I3&psc=1)
Frozen peas, similar to the cold wash cloths another user suggested. Gel bead eye masks that you chuck in the freezer also work, and are less drippy. (Be careful about not letting water into your eyes at this stage.)
Tylenol PM to help you sleep. If you've maxed out on painkillers already, then Benadryl/ diphenhydramine sleep aid. (Tylenol PM is daytime Tylenol + Benadryl.) Hang in there!
I think I know what Addipaks is, and I've used them in a pinch before when I needed to change out my contacts and my eyes were dry. They don't feel as moisturizing, but that's just my experience.
I'm looking at my box of artificial tears and it looks like they have polyethylene glycol or carboxymethylcelluose in them, and the percentage of sodium chloride is lower.
Systane, Refreshe, Blink, Bausche and Lomb, TheraTears, etc. are all brands of artificial tears that you can look into. I'd pick whichever feels best for you, and is cost-effective.
I tried Systane and didn't like the feeling, and prefer Refreshe Plus. I get a 100-pack of Refreshe Plus artificial tears (single use vials, but you can recap and get like 3 uses of them) for like $16-20 at Costco. I think it's similar price at Sam's Club. On Amazon.com, they're $25: https://www.amazon.com/Refresh-Lubricant-Lasting-Protection-Moderate/dp/B000VR5W0A/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1536595396&sr=8-2&keywords=refresh+plus+single+use. You can also get the store brands (CVS, Walmart, etc.) for much cheaper.
Wanted to note that I started taking Omega-3 pills just to be safe. It is supposed to help with dry eyes, but I haven't had any issues yet and I want to keep it that way.
These are the ones I am taking (Not a recommendation, just what I am doing):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0184SMS9A?psc=1&ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details
Improved but from what to what? My plan with my surgery had an expectation for the vision I would have after the procedure. Was 20/20 not your goal? This might be something you should book a follow-up call about if you're not near what your expectation was.
I used heated gel pad for dryness on days when it was really painful, I would warm it up and put it on my eyes. I had a different situation though, I had the glands in my eyelids get too dry so the heat would help warm them up so they wouldn't get clogged
This suggestion by u/portugee was exactly my first thought whilst I read your post. I have no idea if there is some science to suggest that your eyes can become dependent on the eye drops and then stop producing fluid on their own but It makes a lot of sense. I read this book recently which explains how the same process occurs with skin. If you clean your skin and use other products/oils regularly, your skin stops producing its own oils. There are many stories here about people who solved skin conditions by going cold turkey on all skin cleaning and product use.
Of course, we are not talking about skin here, we are talking about something different - dry eyes - I personally get dry eyes from contact lenses which bothers me a lot, and for a while I would use drops, and I found that I started using the drops more frequently, then I went cold turkey on them and I now still get dry eyes from contacts but waaayyy less... so the use of drops was definitely contributing to the problem. (As a side note I can wear lenses for 16 hours a day when on I'm holiday and not feel any dry eyes, because I'm not looking at a screen, and I'm outdoors focusing on longer distances, so the computer definitely contributes a lot to my dry eyes.)
It sounds like it would be really tough for you, but also that you are at rock bottom with the dry eyes, and so it could be worth it for you to go cold turkey with the eye drops and try to push through the first couple of days and see if that helps. Even take a weeks vacation from work to do it and spend that time outdoors. If you do that I would be very curious to hear back from you on how it went.... Good luck!
These are the lights I ordered for my TV. Definitely way too big for a PC monitor but you can cut them down to size. Also there are loads of other ones on Amazon in shorter lengths better suited for a desktop monitor.
I take it that looking at black text on a white background isn't the problem and that it's bright objects on a dark background, yes? If you find that pilocarpine or other pupil-constricting drops eliminate your aberrations in those instances than anything that will reduce pupil dilation will also help. Bias lighting does the same by making the overall brightness of the scene higher so even when the image on your monitor is dark, you will still have the bright lights behind your monitor keeping the overall scene luminance higher than if that lighting wasn't there. It won't perform miracles but I find that it definitely reduces the ghosting I see in most scenarios and overall reduces eye strain. The theory behind that being that by having a constant base level of brightness (the bias lighting) fluctuations in brightness on the screen do not seem as extreme so your pupils won't constantly have to dilate and constrict (which is what attributes to eye strain).
Have you tried Punctal Plugs? I recommend asking your doctor about it. I also advise my patients who use a lot of computers to try https://justgetflux.com/. It's worked wonders for me since it was recommended to me and also to my patients.
Also, look into the 20-20-20 Rule;
http://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/20-20-20-rule#prevention6
I ordered this one just now. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NCRE4GO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Guess I'll try it out, what do i have to lose?
hahah yeah it sounds sketchy but honestly I couldn't have been happier with the results. here's the one I bought it's a chain and they have places all across the country that you can use that groupon at: https://www.groupon.com/deals/the-lasik-vision-institute-145-hartford
You're welcome! He has a LinkedIn profile, and it says Principal Optometrist Scleral Lens Service at Moorfields Eye Hospital. He has a lot of experience with scleral lenses.
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/ken-pullum/21/71a/106
Anyway, good luck and don't give up!
If you're still uncomfortable showering, or for anyone else reading this, look for eye shields on amazon. Great little stick on visors that will block water droplets from the shower. I ended up with a pack of 50 for 8$ but they have better deals out there. The adhesive will rip off baby hairs, fair warning. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CQ6Y59H/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o05\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hi, I'm still a total wreck and my eyes are the same. 8 months post op. I went last week and consulted with 4 additional LASIK doctors. Only 2 seemed to understand my problem but even then I am not so sure because they disagreed with each other on details. I am scheduled to do an enhancement procedure with one of them soon but not yet sure I will go through with it. They will do a topography guided enhancement to center the treatment better and expand the blend zone. There's a lot of complexity in my case and unfortunately as a layperson I can't fully understand it, but I have stumped a lot of doctors. PM me if you want details on the doctors I saw. They were all in California.
Blurry LEDs may or may not be a different problem. I'm sorry you're experiencing this, I know it's horrible. If you haven't tried pupil constricting drops yet see if that helps. I have also put this dimming stickers on all electronic lights in my house: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLVEQCO/
I recommend getting a second third and fourth opinion. Most doctors do not have sensitive enough technology to pick up the kinds of errors that can cause big issues for us. The trick is finding one who does. How far out are you from your original procedure?
Try this. Keep at it for 2 weeks or more at night.
Refresh P.M. Lubricant Eye Ointment, Net wt. 0.12 Oz (3.5g) Sterile https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000052XC0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KJSS0DG6VB9DJAM16HDT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Third party sellers on Amazon seem to have them : https://www.amazon.com/THEA-392-7142-Thealoz-Drops-10ml/dp/B00PWLHP1Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=thealoz+duo+eye+drops&qid=1621476668&sprefix=thealo&sr=8-4
I used the shields the first night and really didn't like them.
I bought this mask a highly recommend it!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KC5DWCC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I was told to use these post surgery:
Blink Tears Sterile Single Use Vials, 25 Count, 0.01 Fluid Ounce Each
This is the No-Pressure eye mask and this is the freezer eye mask
In the States they usually give you anti-anxiety meds beforehand, like a Valium or Xanax. This did absolutely nothing for me (though I have a history of not metabolizing medications well). I was absolutely terrified the entire procedure, and basically hyperventilating the whole time. But even then, I survived. I hated every second and it felt like the longest 10 minutes of my life, but I’m through it now and so far pleased I stuck it out.
As a tip- they sell eye shields/visors that you can stick on to your face for showering. They’re designed specifically for people who get permanent makeup I guess, but they make it pretty much impossible to get water in your eyes while showering, while also still allowing you to wash your hair. These were invaluable to me the first week because you’re not supposed to get water in your eye and I was super paranoid. They’re pretty cheap, and on Amazon. Just search for “Permanent Makeup Shower Face Shields” on amazon.
Here’s a link, but I’m in the US so idk if it’s available to you there: https://www.amazon.com/Tingbeauty-Microblading-Permanent-Disposable-Extensions/dp/B07TNQD25H/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=permanent+makeup+face+shields&qid=1604532520&sr=8-3
My doctor recommended these
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQCK52E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I switched to CVS cheap (preservative free) drops to save money and was quite surprised how much more effective my doctor recommend drops were.
I highly recommend storing drops next to everywhere you sit at your house so they are in easy reach. I think a well hydrated eye is key to the healing process.
My eye doctor used the following analogy - "do you put on sunscreen before or after you are burned?"
I would definitely go with what your doctor recommends though if they are working well for you.
Frozen peas. Be careful not to get water in your eyes at this stage, so add a paper towel if it's drippy. If you can send someone out to Target, CVS, etc, there are gel bead eye masks in various brands that you chuck in the freezer. They drip less.
Sleep if you can. (Benadryl makes me sleepy, but I'm not a doctor who can give medical advice...) Hang in there!
I had lasik done about 2 years ago. I also had dry eyes, but the condition continually improved every month for a full 24 months. I was surprised because you would think 12 months in they your eyes would be fully healed but the progress continues. Something that helped me a ton is an “eye compress”. You microwave it for a few seconds and out it on your eyes, it basically unclogs your tear ducts and your eyes immediately feel more lubricated. You can find them at Walmart. Note: No comment on the ghosting and other vision issues, this is purely for dry eye, though it could perhaps help the other symptoms, it may be worth a visit with your original surgeon. Here is the exact compress I use. https://www.amazon.com/Thermalon-24342-Dry-Eye-Compress/dp/B004385RPS
I had PRK about 6 weeks ago. The cheap sunglasses they gave me were not polarized, scratched easily, were not very comfortable, nor as clear as a good quality pair.
So with that in mind: get a decent pair of polarized sunglasses, with as much wrap-around as you can. The glare from the side will bother you.
Get the darkest ones you can. There will be a period where you will get really light sensitive, especially when driving in bright sunlight.
Don't go too cheap. The cheap ones are junk that falls apart easily. A good polycarbonate lens is best.
If you search on Amazon, you can find sunglasses with built-in bifocals. If you are in your 40s or older, this is a wonderful option. I have 1.5x, and when I'm out walking in bright sunlight, it's awesome to have no issues seeing my phone or watch.
These are the pair I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SKLA164
Lets see...punctual plugs 23 days ago. All four ducts, but one plug fell out. My eyes improved a bit slowly for my taste, but it was still improvement and my doc seemed pretty pleased at a checkup 17 days ago. Then my prescription drops came in 15 days ago (bring on the wacky amniotic fluid eye drops!) and about 7 days ago I realized I was no longer worried about random dry eye attacks. I still have dry eyes in the morning, same as before my surgery. Prescription drops twice a day. OTC drops preemptively every few hours, but I rarely feel like I actually need them.
Plenty of options of your current treatment doesn't work out. OTC nighttime ointment if your doctor okays it. For some reason my doc doesn't recommend it until a month after surgery. Plugs in the upper ducts if you don't have them yet. Xiidra. Autologous serum eye drops derived from your own blood. Baby fluids. Amniotic membrane bandage.
...And I thought shooting lasers at the eyeball was weird.
100% definitely get some blue light blocking glasses. It doesn’t matter if you get lasik or not. I bought a pair for 20 dollars years before I had lasik and they helped my eyes feel so much better at the end of the day. I actually still use the same pair, it’s been about a year since I’ve had lasik. I’d recommend just buying them on Amazon and not an eye center because they are much cheaper.
Hope that helps! For reference, here is the pair I bought:
CGID CT46 Premium TR90 Frame Blue Light Blocking Glasses,Anti Glare Fatigue Blocking Headaches Eye Strain,Safety Glasses for Computer/Phone/Tablet,Rectangle Flexible Unbreakable Frame,Transparnet Lens https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0123UI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hCJwCb9560CZX
Welcome back. Glad to see you are doing better.
Try sleeping with these: https://www.amazon.com/Tranquileyes-Mini-Sleep-Nighttime-Relief/dp/B01HHAO1VO
I've been using them with Genteal gel or ointment at night and I no longer wake up with dryness.
Can you darken your screen? im about 1.5 weeks post OP and off work im mostly just a computer guy. My eyes will dry if Im starring at light colors, so at the very least I would turn down your monitors brightness and maybe wear sunglasses. If you dont mind the embarrassment MUCH better is goggles for work. I work in an environment where stuff could get into my eyes. The breathable goggles I wear work so good my eyes dont even get dry once. I put drops in on my breaks just because, but not because I feel like I need them. here are the exact goggles I purchased, they were like $5, my eyes stay moist, protected, and I dont care what other people think. Most just find it funny. Honestly I like feeling protected, and I like my eyes staying moist. They dont fog and they keep me from drying out.
I think the 20/20 or whatever rule is bogus, you need to find a way to completely neutralize the problem. Even if that means wearing funny looking goggles at wotk
BTW we have a computer at my work, I use it about 30 minutes a day and use the goggles while im on
I had similar issue but its been about 4+ years & mine has improved a lot. I was on restasis & over the counter eye drops.
I highly recommend you use eye heat mask once a day & every morning when you take a shower... walk up to shower head and let your eye lids feel the force of warm/hot water. I do this for about minute each eye. It will massage the eye & improve your tears. It has become my routine because you take shower every morning anyways. This trick is similar to treatment called Lipoflow for dry eyes. This is from lot of research I have done on reddit & other online resources.
Also get Bilberry its natual for dry eyes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W84K9V6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's possible you keep your eyes open slightly as you sleep, it's called nocturnal Lagophthalmos. I have it, and it's really annoying.
I've been using these safety goggles when I sleep now and it's been incredibly helpful. They're cheap, and pretty comfortable once you get used to them. They have foam inserts that help keep the moisture in, which is really helpful for people like me who keep their lids open slightly. Couldn't hurt to try.
Install f.lux and invest in computer glasses. If these do not make it better than its most likely Lasik. I haven't gotten lasik yet but I do have the symptoms you have now and installing f.lux fixed the vision loss.
If the doctor days to stay away, I would follow that advice. Here is another product to consider since it's a gel, but preservative free.